Piercing the Darkness

I have heard of Moody Bible Institute in Chicago all of my life, but I've never really stopped to take a second look at what it is all about until today. This morning, my dad and I went to visit and I went to see a friend from Port who now goes there. I was pretty blown away by what I witnessed. I've always been excited at the possibility of going to a Christian college but never really considered attending a strictly "Bible" college, because honestly, it's always sounded a little bit like spiritual overdose. But I guess going to a one-year Bible school has opened my eyes more to a Bible school possibility. At my visit this morning, I was amazed by the passion that seeped out of almost everyone that I came in contact with. That school is just busting with kids that are on-fire for Christ and really seem to clearly understand their purpose of making disciples of all the nations of the earth. The chapel service was amazing and all of the people that I met just exuded Christ's love in simple but very impactful ways. It was extremely moving to discover that in the heart of the spiritually broken city of Chicago, there is a large group of people whose hearts are overflowing with the passion of the church of Christ and are learning how to go out to the ends of the earth and pierce the darkness with the beauty of the gospel.

Also, I just watched a random YouTube video of a slideshow of pictures from Haiti (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esUu2C6kLu8#) and at one part, a man was being interviewed-- apparently he lost his wife, his church, his Bible college all in the devastation of the earthquakes. However, when asked why he was still smiling, he simply replied that his joy comes from the Lord.

The power of the God we are here to serve is insane. I know of nothing else in the world that can give hope in the midst of these huge storms of life and put such beautiful smiles back on the faces of the broken.

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam , though the mountains tremble at its swelling" (Psalm 46:1-3).

All that to say, I still have no idea what I will be doing this coming fall, whether it be Moody, or a liberal arts Christian college, or community college, or even no college at all (SHOCKER), but God will work it all out in His timing. And I can take comfort and find peace in the truth that, "for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose" (Romans 8:28). God works in beautiful ways, and I can do nothing but be left in awe when I see small glimpses of what He is doing across the nations.

Back to COSTA RICA in 4 days. CRAZY pumped.